GUNNISON RIVER

The Gunnison River is formed by the confluence of Taylor and East rivers at Almont in eastern Gunnison County.  It winds through desert canyonlands, where it receives Kannah Creek before it empties out of the Dominguez Canyon into the Colorado in Grand Junction.

The Gunnison River ranges in width from 100 to 1,000 feet and 3 to 50 feet in depth.  The river’s powerful current and many rapids make upstream travel nearly impossible.  It is navigable for small craft throughout its course and by larger boats below the Black Canyon.  Parts of the Black Canyon are non-navigable to any sorts of craft because of giant cataracts.  Navigation through the entire canyon is dangerous and for experienced boaters only.

Through the mid-1800s, the river held various names.  Names included: The Eagle, Eagle Tail, South Fork of the Grand, Grande, and Grand River. Exploration reports and published maps in the 1850s and 1860s most commonly referred to the river as the Grand River. In subsequent years, the river was renamed for U.S. Army Captain John W. Gunnison.  He was one of the Topographic Engineers who was ambushed and killed by Pahvant Utes while mapping a trail west in Utah Territory in 1853. ~wikipedia

The target was to view the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  We approached from the the north through Crawford on our way to Ouray.  There isn’t a “through-route” to speak of on the north side.  Just south of Crawford Reservoir, Black Canyon Road to the west that will get you to the North Rim area.  We continued on 92 heading south toward the river.  The views were spectacular.

Hermits Rest Picnic Area

Our first stop was at Hermits Rest Picnic Area.  From there you can see Morrow Point Reservoir.  There are restrooms here.  Here you will find Hermits Rest Trail down to the edge of the reservoir.  1800 feet down, then 1800 feet back up; approximately 6 miles round trip.  We continued on by car.

Pioneer Lookout Point

There are numerous areas along 92 to pull off.  There are only two areas with restrooms.  The second stop was Pioneer Lookout Point.  Here you can see Curecanti Needle, a 700-ft granite spire.

There are several locations at this stop to take in the magnificent views.  Here you will find Curecanti Creek Trail that descends down to the river edge.  900 feet down, 900 feet up; approximately 4 miles round trip.

Highway 92 was an excellent way to see parts of the Gunnison River.  On a future return trip to the area I hope to visit the Black Canyon of The Gunnison National Park in its entirety.  I would love to visit both the North Rim and South Rim.  The views (seen through Google images) of those two areas of the park look amazing.

EXTRA